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America Intervenes

This poster by James Montgomery Flagg from 1917-18 encourages America to get involved in the war and buy war savings stamps. It highlights the reasons why America hesitated to intervene and showcases the events that eventually led to their involvement.

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America Intervenes

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  1. America Intervenes Boys and Girls! War Savings Stamps Poster by James Montgomery Flagg 1917-18

  2. Why did it take so long for America to get involved in the war? • America was isolationist/neutral • “Why should I get involved in someone else’s problems”

  3. Thinking Slide: • Is isolationism really an option for a country as powerful as the United States?

  4. What did it take to get the US involved? 1. Blockades • Britain blockaded (stopped) all German ships going to America • Germany announced a submarine war around Britain Y-53 German Submarine 1916

  5. Sussex Pledge • Sussex Pledge- A French ferry service on the English Channel was attacked by a German submarine and killed 50 passengers • Wilson told German if they bombed more ships the U.S. would close ties with them • Germany promises not to sink any more passenger liners without notice

  6. What did it take to get the US involved? 1. Blockades • In May, 1915 Germany told Americans to stay off of British ships • They could/would sink them

  7. What did it take to get the US involved? 1. Blockades • Lusitania torpedoed, sinking with 1200 passengers and crew (including 128 Americans) • Was eventually found to be carrying 4200 cases of ammunition German Propaganda Justifying Lusitania sinking

  8. What did it take to get the US involved? 1. Blockades • The US sharply criticized Germany for their action • Germany agreed not to sink passenger ships without warning in the future Note in Bottle After Lusitania Disaster

  9. What did it take to get the US involved? 2. Unlimited Submarine Warfare • 1917 Germany announced “unlimited submarine warfare” in the war zone Why? Otherwise their blockade would not be successful

  10. What did it take to get the US involved? 3. Zimmerman Note • US intercepted a note from Germany to Mexico, • Germany promised Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona back to Mexico in return for an alliance

  11. What did it take to get the US involved? • Zimmerman Note + the sinking of 4 unarmed American ships led to a declaration of war

  12. How was the war looking for the allies? Not Good... • Russia left the war after its communist revolution in 1917 • Made it a one front war for Germany - all its troops could concentrate on France

  13. Convincing the American People • Posters - Gee!! • How do you think this poster helped to convince the American people that the war was a good idea?

  14. Convincing the American People Idealism: 2 Goals For War: 1. War to End All Wars 2. Making the World Safe for Democracy

  15. Convincing the American People Idealism: Fourteen Points What? President Wilson’s Plan for after the war • Fourteen promises, including freedom of the seas & a League of Nations to work for peace President Woodrow Wilson

  16. What did the US do to help in WWI? Supplies: • US provided the food, money, and fresh toops needed to win the war American Troops March Through London

  17. How did the War Affect the US? Women • Women filled factory jobs • May have led 19th Ammendment after the war (Gave women the right to vote) African Americans • Black soldiers still served in Segregated Units • “Great Migration” - thousands of African Americans moved North to work in factories

  18. How did the War Affect the US? Enforcing Loyalty • Hatred of all things German • Ex. “Liberty Cabbage” • Espionage Act 1917 & Sedition Act of 1918 punished those against the war (many labor leaders)

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